Westmorland and Furness Council is consulting on its proposal to extend a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) applicable to Penrith and other areas of Eden relating to the prohibition of alcohol consumption for a further period of 12 months.
Following Local Government Re-organisation on 01 April 2023, and the vesting of Westmorland and Furness Council, The council is currently reviewing all PSPOs implemented by the former authorities that are in force and are working closely with the Police and other key organisations.
Westmorland and Furness Council says it intends to carry out an extensive public consultation that considers all possible anti-social behaviour matters that can be dealt with through PSPOs.
The review process is currently ongoing and a wide consultation is due to take place in the coming months but the current PSPO put in place by the a former Eden Council in 2021 during the pandemic is due to expire on 01 May 2024.
Due to the impending expiration of the current order the Council is proposes an extension subject to the relevant conditions being met for 12 months or until the Council implement a new Westmorland and Furness PSPOs that cover the whole district.
The PSPO currently out for consultation in relation to the extension proposal is applicable only to the Eden area of Westmorland and Furness Council, specifically Penrith and the areas of Alston, Appleby, Kirkby Stephen and Shap which relate to the consumption of alcohol that is due to expire on 01 May 2024. The council are proposing that this draft Order is extended, subject to the outcomes of its consultation.
The order prohibits the consumption of alcohol or the possession of an open container of alcohol in the restricted area.
This mean that carrying an open can, bottle carton or a glass of an alcoholic drink in public spaces such as streets and parks in the area covered by the order could land a person with a fine and be required to surrender the item to police or authorised enforcement officers.
The restrictions exclude licensed premises in the areas covered by the order but have caused issues for local public houses causing some to close during town events in previous years to prevent customers from taking drinks out into the streets.
Last May a town centre Pub blamed “Unprecedented local authority restrictions” had forced it to close on MayDay one of the business days of the year in Penrith.
The former Eden Council and Westmorland and Furness Council now the responsible authority have previously made no exceptions or allowances for easing the PSPO for events such as May Day or other events like the Winter Droving preventing those attending from enjoying the outdoor events while having an alcoholic drink.
When the PSPO was first introduced in 2018 Eden Council claimed that it had identified, whilst working with partner organisations, including the Police, local residents and Town Council, that there were issues arising in connection with public consumption of alcohol that are resulting in anti-social behaviour in certain communities. As a result, a the PSPO was first made on 3 May 2018, the current PSPO came into force on the 2nd of May 2021.
The Penrith PSPO area covers not just the town centre but the entire town upto the top of Penrith Beacon down to French fields along to Kemplay Roundabout and Junction 40 extending to the North of Penrith at Fair Hill and all areas of Penrith within the zone.
If you would like to comment on the proposed extension, Westmorland and Furness Council ask that you email admin.licensing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or comment by post to the Licensing Team, Westmorland and Furness Council, Town Hall, Corney Square, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7QF headed "Comment PSPO (Alcohol Consumption)".
The consultation ends at 5.00pm on Friday, 26 April 2024.
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